Module 07
Groundwater and layered ground
Two things the textbook equation assumes away, and both of them matter.
What this module covers
- Explain the two separate ways a high water table reduces bearing capacity
- Locate the water table correctly relative to the failure mechanism
- Recognise when a strong crust over soft ground invalidates the bearing capacity equation
- Describe punching-through failure and how it is checked
Lessons
- 7.1
Water
It attacks twice, and people usually remember once.
Start lesson → When the mechanism cannot form the way the equation assumes.
Start lesson →
Module checkpoint
Check what you have taken in
2 questions
Question 1
A footing has a dry ultimate capacity of 1746 kPa. With the water table at the surface it falls to 845 kPa. What is the percentage reduction, to the nearest whole number?
Question 2
Below roughly what depth does the water table stop affecting bearing capacity?